Kenwood TK-790 chip for additional channels

DustinRoss · Oct 26, 2009

We recently had our Kenwood TK-790's upgraded to a larger channel capacity with the install of the extra chip. However it appears as though the standard KPG-44D won't recognize the additoinal channel capacity and I am wondering if there is a setting in the existing software or do I need to upgrade my existing software to accomodate my additonal capacity. Thoughts?? Any feedback is appreciated.

SCPD · Oct 27, 2009

kpg44cdf

You need to get the kpg44cdf software you can buy it from silverado avionics in california or your dealer should be able to get it for you.

ramal121 · Oct 28, 2009

You can program a CDF 790 with regular KPG-44D or go the other way and program a stock 790 with KPG-44CDF, but I will warn you, features will be missing and the ops will be buggy. Been there, done that. Get the correct software for whichever style 790 you have.

Duster · Oct 29, 2009

DustinRoss said:
We recently had our Kenwood TK-790's upgraded to a larger channel capacity with the install of the extra chip. However it appears as though the standard KPG-44D won't recognize the additoinal channel capacity and I am wondering if there is a setting in the existing software or do I need to upgrade my existing software to accomodate my additonal capacity. Thoughts?? Any feedback is appreciated.

Just to confirm, you got the Silverado upgrade? Changes your radio from 160 channels to 254 channels, and adds a command group and instant select CTCSS tones?

If that is the upgrade you are talking about, the previous posters are correct. You need the KPG-44CDF software, either in DOS or in Windows. Contact your Kenwood dealer for the software.

code3cowboy · Oct 29, 2009

Did you do the CDF or "fire service" upgrade, or did you just throw a chip in? If you just threw a chip in, you are on your own. If you got the chip AND the firmware, you need the CDF/Fire Service software.

Colton25 · Jun 8, 2015

So if the radio is a CDF 790 you don't need the fs software? 44d will work fine?

ramal121 said:
You can program a CDF 790 with regular KPG-44D or go the other way and program a stock 790 with KPG-44CDF, but I will warn you, features will be missing and the ops will be buggy. Been there, done that. Get the correct software for whichever style 790 you have.

ajohansson · Jun 9, 2015

You need the KPG-44FS to program the tac feature, OST up/down and the extra channel capacity.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Colton25 · Jun 9, 2015

Same goes for reading the radio?

ajohansson said:
You need the KPG-44FS to program the tac feature, OST up/down and the extra channel capacity.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duster · Jun 9, 2015

You can read a CDF 790 with the standard software, and it will read just fine. But, it will only recognize the stock 160 channels, and won't see any of the additional features the firmware upgrade offers. You have to read the radio with the correct (FS) software to properly utilize the firmware upgrade. And as someone else posted earlier in this thread, you may get some odd or 'buggy' operations from the radio. Do yourself a favor and track down a copy of the proper software for the radio...you'll be much happier that you did.

Colton25 · Jun 11, 2015

So I got what I thought was the FS version but it looks exactly the same.. Is the software supposed to look different then the regular 49D? When I look at the "About KPG-49D Software" they look identical.

Duster said:
You can read a CDF 790 with the standard software, and it will read just fine. But, it will only recognize the stock 160 channels, and won't see any of the additional features the firmware upgrade offers. You have to read the radio with the correct (FS) software to properly utilize the firmware upgrade. And as someone else posted earlier in this thread, you may get some odd or 'buggy' operations from the radio. Do yourself a favor and track down a copy of the proper software for the radio...you'll be much happier that you did.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duster · Jun 11, 2015

Well, first off... You need the KPG-44D FS software, not the KPG-49D.

If that was a typo, your about screen should "Fire Service" right on it.

See the attached image.

ramal121 · Jun 11, 2015

Also scroll down to the bottom of a group. 160 channels is plain-jane KPG-44D and 254 channels is the fire service. In additon, the fire service has key programming for OST up/down and TAC. The other has not.

Essentially the same software but the little things tell the difference.

Colton25 · Jun 12, 2015

I had to uninstall and reinstall it to get everything working correctly, thanks everyone!!

Colton25 · Jun 16, 2015

If I was to get a 790 and 890 both with the upgrade, and I set it up as dual band with single head would I get the 508 channels?

ramal121 said:
Also scroll down to the bottom of a group. 160 channels is plain-jane KPG-44D and 254 channels is the fire service. In additon, the fire service has key programming for OST up/down and TAC. The other has not.

Essentially the same software but the little things tell the difference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duster · Jun 16, 2015

zane018 said:
If I was to get a 790 and 890 both with the upgrade, and I set it up as dual band with single head would I get the 508 channels?

No, the total channels with a dual-banded radio will always be the total of any one deck, either 160 or 254, depending on firmware. They share the memory.

Sent from my Samsung S5 on Tapatalk

Colton25 · Jun 16, 2015

Ok thank you, thought I had an idea but I guess not. I'm sure someone else has already thought of it. Sure wish I could make 7180 and 8180 dual band.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duster · Jun 16, 2015

zane018 said:
Ok thank you, thought I had an idea but I guess not. I'm sure someone else has already thought of it. Sure wish I could make 7180 and 8180 dual band.

Tell me about it...I would love to dual band a 5710 and 5810.

Sent from my Samsung S5 on Tapatalk

Colton25 · Jun 16, 2015

I'm aware of other options ie (Motorola) :/ but I'm so comfortable with kenwood. I know they just came out with the 5700/5800 that is dual band capable but I can only imagine the price [emoji57]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Colton25 · Jun 20, 2015

But in order to set up dual band both radios would need to be upgraded to CDF correct?

Duster said:
No, the total channels with a dual-banded radio will always be the total of any one deck, either 160 or 254, depending on firmware. They share the memory.

Sent from my Samsung S5 on Tapatalk

kayn1n32008 · Jun 20, 2015

zane018 said:
Ok thank you, thought I had an idea but I guess not. I'm sure someone else has already thought of it. Sure wish I could make 7180 and 8180 dual band.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Or the NX-7/800.

I really like both series radios.

It's sad that the TK-x90 series have such limited channel capacity, if it was 512ch, even between both radios would be workable. 160 channels total, between both bricks is just not enough. Also to have the ability to select a key to do low power transmit too

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Kenwood TK-790 chip for additional channels

Member

QRT

Lots and lots of watts

Supposedly Retired...

Member

Member

Member

Member

Supposedly Retired...

Member

Supposedly Retired...

Attachments

Lots and lots of watts

Member

Member

Supposedly Retired...

Member

Supposedly Retired...

Member

Member

ØÆSØ

Similar threads